Kaine formally calls special elections

No surprises here, but Gov. Tim Kaine (D) has formally set the dates of the two special elections for state senate for Jan. 12. His aides had been saying that Tuesday would be Election Day for a while, but according to a release that just arrived from his office, he's now made the formal call.

Voters in Fairfax's 37th district will choose a senator to replace attorney gen.-elect Ken Cuccinelli. In Virginia Beach's 8th district, voters will choose a senator to replace the city's new sheriff Ken Stolle.

"The citizens of these districts deserve to have their interests represented in the upcoming session of the General Assembly," Kaine said in a state. "Holding these special elections on January 12 will give interested candidates time to introduce themselves to the people they hope to represent and give voters an opportunity to make an informed decision on their next senator."